UNC on Roberts' Visit List

Don Callahan

12/13/2006

ROEBUCK, S.C. --- N.C. State pledge Desmond Roberts has decided to soften his verbal commitment and explore his options.

"I got some official visits set up," said Roberts. "I'm going to N.C. State the 12th of January, the 19th of January I'm going to Penn State, the 26th is Virginia Tech, and the first weekend of February is North Carolina [February 2nd]."

Roberts, who committed to the Wolfpack in August, has decided to look into the situations at other schools due to the uncertainty surrounding N.C. State's coaching staff.

"[I'm visiting other schools] just because Coach [Tom] O'Brien, he talked to me [and] he said he's going to bring in coaches from Boston College [to N.C. State]," said Roberts. "I was going to get back to see if I can still have the same relationships with some of the coaches that were recruiting me earlier [and] to see what it's like [at other schools].

"I want to go to N.C. State, but if things don't work out there, I want to know my options."

"He came by the school a couple times last week, I think he came a week before that, [and] I've been talking to him on the phone," said Roberts. "He was just letting me know how much they still need me and to try to get me to meet Coach [Butch] Davis."

Roberts was invited to UNC's Kentucky game to meet Davis for the first time, but was unable to make the journey to Chapel Hill.

"North Carolina, they were in the top three when I was getting ready to commit," said Roberts. "There's still a little love with Carolina. I just want to see if [the love] is still there when I get there. I want to get to know Butch Davis and the new offensive line coach they're bringing in."

Come Signing Day, Roberts isn't certain where he will be faxing his National Letter of Intent.

"It's hard to say [who I will sign with]," said Roberts. "I want to stick with State, but if I feel better somewhere else, that's where I'm going to go."